Extension Service gardening course set March 7

With spring on the horizon and warmer temperatures already being felt, Franklin Countians are turning their attention toward some old-fashioned backyard gardening.

To this end, the Mississippi State University Extension Service office in Franklin County has announced plans for an educational meeting at 6 p.m., Tuesday, March 7 to discuss spring vegetables.

Extension Service Agent Keith Whitehead will teach the class, which will spotlight plant selections, variety selection and timing of planting as well as soil preparation and fertility.

“This course will seek to fill in the information gaps most backyard gardeners run across in trying to grow their own vegetables in the spring,” Whitehead said.

“We will also seek to answer any questions that might arise from participants so that they can be successful in their outdoor endeavors.”

For Franklin County gardeners, the most popular crop is tomatoes, according to Whitehead and that’s based on the number of calls he gets from residents.

“Everybody wants to grow the biggest tomatoes and wants to out-do their neighbors,” he said with a laugh. “They also want to have bragging rights of bringing in the first tomato.

“Also popular around here is squash along with peas and butterbeans as well as string beans and green beans.”

On the other hand, plants like onions, shallots and scallions tend to be less popular as they are a little bit intense due to having to plant at just the right time and seeds that are often very small.

“Also, onions are still one of the more relatively cheap items at the store and it can be easier to buy them than grow them,” Whitehead. “That comes down to a question of how much of an effort you want to put into it.”

He pointed out the same is true with potatoes and said there were a number of locals who plant them, but this is another example of a vegetable that can be bought about as cheaply as they can be grown.

In addition, no matter what each gardener wants to plant, Whitehead said something that should not be overlooked is soil sampling, which will also be discussed at the meeting.

Sampling information can be obtained from the Extension Service office and by bringing in a pint-sized box of soil along with a $10 fee.

Whitehead noted the meeting would begin promptly at 6 p.m., at his office at 20 Walnut Street in downtown Meadville, and encouraged those taking part to get there at least 10 minutes early.

For more information and to pre-register for this session, contact the Extension Service office at 601-384-2349.